SÄMI WINKLER
The further I travel, the closer I get to myself.
Basecamp - Where are you living right now?
I currently live in Switzerland, in Baden (near Zurich). I am always amazed at how many different facets Switzerland offers in such a small area. In less than 1 hour I can be either in urban city life or in unspoiled nature. That is one of the aspects I love so much here.
Dream destination?
I can't commit to one, there are too many places I still want to visit. The north appeals to me very much. Especially in winter I would like to experience the harsh climate of Norway or Sweden and camp under the northern lights. But also the warmer areas, such as the Azores, Indonesia or Central & South America are very tempting.
Inspiration?
Of course, social media is a great source of inspiration for me. When I see beautiful places from other photographers on Instagram, it always motivates me a lot to go back into nature myself and experience new adventures.
What does travel mean to you?
Traveling means freedom for me. Time in which I don't have to deal with the issues of my everyday life. Especially on longer trips, I prefer to have only an approximate plan of the trip and not book too much in advance. That way, I'm free to be inspired on the spot by locals, other travelers, and what I've already experienced. I also find it exciting to see what everyday life is like in other places and what shapes it.
The best experience when travelling?
Quite difficult to single out one event. Seeing the aurora for the first time in Iceland was very impressive. But mostly it's the little things that make my travels unforgettable. Like the hospitality of the locals in Vietnam or the freshly prepared tajine (North African meat and/or vegetable dish) in the middle of Morocco's Sahara during a 5-day camel trek through the desert.
Plans for the future?
At the end of the year 2023 I will travel for 3 months the American continent. There I will certainly visit Hawaii and Costa Rica, let's see what else the time will be enough for.
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